Editing Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey (section)

===Flight testing and design changes===
[[File:V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.jpg|thumb|A V-22 during tests in 2003]]

The first of six prototypes first flew on 19 March 1989 in the helicopter mode<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OXwUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-gIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4248,6782946&dq=v22+osprey&hl=en "Revolutionary plane passes first test"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222150201/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OXwUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-gIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4248,6782946&dq=v22+osprey&hl=en |date=22 December 2020}}. ''Toledo Blade'', 20 March 1989.</ref> and on 14 September 1989 in fixed-wing mode.<ref>Mitchell, Jim. [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED3D0966AF1C330&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "V-22 makes first flight in full airplane mode"]. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024125618/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED3D0966AF1C330&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=24 October 2012}} ''Dallas Morning News'', 15 September 1989.</ref> The third and fourth prototypes successfully completed the first sea trials on {{USS|Wasp|LHD-1|6}} in December 1990.<ref>Jones, Kathryn. [https://archive.today/20120629160852/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED3D14925CBE8FF&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "V-22 tilt-rotor passes tests at sea"]. ''Dallas Morning News'', 14 December 1990.</ref> The fourth and fifth prototypes crashed in 1991–92.<ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF8E1952EE8AB7&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Navy halts test flights of V-22 as crash investigated"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024125649/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF8E1952EE8AB7&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=24 October 2012}} ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram'', 13 June 1991.</ref> From October 1992 to April 1993, the V-22 was redesigned to reduce empty weight, simplify manufacture, and reduce build costs; it was designated V-22B.<ref name=Norton_p52-4/> Flights resumed in June 1993 after safety changes were made to the prototypes.<ref name=Norton_p55>Norton 2004, p. 55.</ref> Bell Boeing received a contract for the engineering manufacturing development (EMD) phase in June 1994.<ref name=Norton_p52-4>Norton 2004, pp. 52–54.</ref> The prototypes were also modified to resemble the V-22B standard. At this stage, testing focused on flight envelope expansion, measuring flight loads, and supporting the EMD redesign. Flight testing with the early V-22s continued into 1997.<ref name=Norton_p55-7>Norton 2004, pp. 55–57.</ref>

[[File:aircraft.osprey.678pix.jpg|thumb|left|U.S. Marines jump from an Osprey. |alt=Four U.S. Marine paratroopers jump from the rear loading ramp of an MV-22 Osprey.]]
Flight testing of four full-scale development V-22s began at the Naval Air Warfare Test Center, [[Naval Air Station Patuxent River]], [[Maryland]]. The first EMD flight took place on 5 February 1997. Testing soon fell behind schedule.<ref>Schinasi 2008, p. 23.</ref> The first of four [[low rate initial production]] aircraft, ordered on 28 April 1997, was delivered on 27 May 1999. The second sea trials were completed onboard {{USS|Saipan|LHA-2|6}} in January 1999.<ref name=V-22_CRS_RL31384/> During external load testing in April 1999, a V-22 transported the lightweight [[M777 howitzer]].<ref>[http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/M777-He-Aint-Heavy-Hes-my-Howitzer-04829/ "M777: He Ain't Heavy, He's my Howitzer"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910064433/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/M777-He-Aint-Heavy-Hes-my-Howitzer-04829/ |date=10 September 2012}}''Defense Industry Daily'', 18 July 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/lots-riding-on-v22-osprey-03110/ "Lots Riding on V-22 Osprey"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105091127/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/lots-riding-on-v22-osprey-03110/ |date=5 January 2012}}''Defense Industry Daily'', 12 March 2007.</ref>

In 2000, there were two fatal crashes, [[2000 Marana V-22 crash|killing a total of 23 marines]], and the V-22 was again grounded while the crashes' causes were investigated and various parts were redesigned.<ref name=Wired_200507>Berler, Ron. [https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.07/osprey.html?pg=1&topic=osprey "Saving the Pentagon's Killer Chopper-Plane"]. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106120946/http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.07/osprey.html?pg=1&topic=osprey |date=6 November 2012}} ''Wired'' (CondéNet, Inc), Volume 13, Issue 7, July 2005.</ref> In June 2005, the V-22 completed its final operational evaluation, including long-range deployments, high altitude, desert and shipboard operations; problems previously identified had reportedly been resolved.<ref name=InsideNavy_Castelli_20050912>{{cite web |last=Castelli |first=Christopher J. |url=http://www.navair.navy.mil/V22/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.detail&id=130 |title=Pentagon Testing Office Concurs With Naval Testers, Supports MV-22 |work=Naval Air Systems Command, United States Navy |via=Inside the Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201235013/http://www.navair.navy.mil/V22/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.detail&id=130 |archive-date=1 December 2016 |date=12 September 2005 |access-date=19 June 2019}}</ref>

U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) worked on software upgrades to increase the maximum speed from {{convert|250|to|270|kn|km/h mph|sigfig=2}}, increase helicopter mode altitude limit from {{convert|10000|to|12000|ft|m|sigfig=2}} or {{convert|14000|ft|m|sigfig=2}}, and increase lift performance.<ref>Chavanne, Bettina H. [http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=mro&id=news/ospr6259.xml&headline=V-22%20To%20Get%20Performance%20Upgrades "V-22 To Get Performance Upgrades"].{{dead link |date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}''Aviation Week'', 25 June 2009.</ref> By 2012, changes had been made to the hardware, software, and procedures in response to hydraulic fires in the nacelles, vortex ring state control issues, and opposed landings;<ref>Pappalardo, Joe. [http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/planes-uavs/the-ospreys-real-problem-isnt-safety-its-money-8347657 "The Osprey's Real Problem Isn't Safety{{snd}}It's Money"]. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617034117/http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/planes-uavs/the-ospreys-real-problem-isnt-safety-its-money-8347657 |date=17 June 2012}}''Popular Mechanics'', 14 June 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewStory/story_ID/24235/d/09202011 "Software Change Gives V-22 Pilots More Lift Options"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925051728/http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewStory/story_ID/24235/d/09202011 |date=25 September 2011}}''thebaynet.com''. Retrieved 24 April 2012.</ref> reliability has improved accordingly.<ref>Capaccio, Tony. [https://archive.today/20120723025010/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-13/v-22-osprey-aircraft-s-reliability-improves-in-pentagon-testing.html "V-22 Osprey Aircraft's Reliability Improves in Pentagon Testing"]. ''Bloomberg News'', 13 January 2012.</ref>

An MV-22 landed and refueled on board {{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68|2}} in an evaluation in October 2012.<ref name=USN_MV-22_Nimitz_tests>{{cite web |first1=Renee |last1=Candelario |title= MV-22 Osprey Flight Operations Tested Aboard USS ''Nimitz'' |url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70031 |work= NNS121008-13 |publisher= USS Nimitz Public Affairs |date= 8 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130524120127/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70031 |archive-date= 24 May 2013 |url-status= dead}}</ref> In 2013, cargo handling trials occurred on {{USS|Harry S. Truman|CVN-75|2}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3aee72908b-a786-455f-8510-c35b64849f10 |title=Osprey on the Truman, Fishing for COD |last1=Butler |first1=Amy |date=18 April 2013 |work=Aviation Week |publisher=The McGraw-Hill Companies |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520135407/http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3aee72908b-a786-455f-8510-c35b64849f10 |archive-date=20 May 2013}}</ref> In October 2015, NAVAIR tested [[SRVL|rolling landings and takeoffs]] on a carrier, preparing for [[carrier onboard delivery]].<ref name=aw2015-11-12>{{cite web |url=http://aviationweek.com/defense/v-22-testing-could-lead-higher-takeoff-weights |title=V-22 Osprey Testing Could Lead To Higher Takeoff Weights |author=Tony Osborne |date=12 November 2015 |work=[[Aviation Week]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116175310/http://aviationweek.com/defense/v-22-testing-could-lead-higher-takeoff-weights |archive-date=16 November 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>